Lessons in Revolution: Family fun day a big draw at Rollinsford historic home

Monday

Jan 7, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By RON COLESpecial to the Democrat

ROLLINSFORD — Residents of the Seacoast are becoming more familiar with the Colonel Paul Wentworth house. “This is very exciting,” said Kim Damtoft, a representative of the circa 1701 house in Rollinsford. “Each successive program we hold brings more new people to the house. Today is a huge success.”

Today was Sunday, as the Association for Rollinsford Art and Culture (ARCH) held family fun day. Family fun can mean many things to many people, but this day gave residents of the region an opportunity to observe what it was like to be a soldier during the time of the Revolutionary War.

Sponsored by the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, the day was replete with many things connected to the war between the colonists and England.

Walking into the completely restored house was a treat. “I didn’t think much seeing it from the outside, it just looked like another old colonial,” said Donald Watson of Rollinsford, “but when I got inside, I was impressed.”

Inside, the all-original house was filled with period artifacts, weapons and several members of the Regiment in full regalia. Chris Reishus, Secretary of the Board of Directors, was found in the kitchen, describing the unique history of the building which at one time was moved from Rollinsford to Dover, Mass, only to be returned to its birthplace and eventually to be the “poster house” for the history of the area.

Reishus, a former schoolteacher, captured the imaginations of many in attendance. “I really like the way she described how they made pies back in the day,” said 9-year-old Conner Sheehan of Dover, a student at the Garrison School. “Using the big old fireplace and ovens sure was different than today.”

Sheehan was accompanied by his 11-year-old brother Cody, a Dover Middle School student, and their friends Cam and Nick Rozzo. The boys and Sue Sheehan were sampling some food of the period and commenting on all the Revolutionary War clothing and armament displayed.

Said Cody,” I really enjoy the hands on approach, allowing us to touch the uniforms and have their uses explained.” Nick liked “the timeline the uniforms told us about,” while Cam was also impressed with the “hands on opportunity to hold one of the rifles used during that time,” he said while hefting a weapon that weighed approximately 17 pounds.

The guns and clothing came under the purview of 2nd Regiment member Matt Payson. He is a member of a group of recreators and students of Revolutionary lore, specifically the Regiment, which was formed in 1775 and served as part of the Continental Army fighting in at least eight battles.

Payson showed how through the years, the members moved from rag tag regular clothing to full uniforms, including some designed by the French and introduced by General Gilbert de Motier, know as the Marquis de Lafayette.

Peyson described a progression of hardships faced by the soldiers, showing the hard tack biscuits they ate, their “frying pans” which were actually small shovels, and illustrating that many soldiers were issued one pair of boots and if they wore out, “the soldiers went barefoot.”

He also described the daily ration of rum they received as “like today’s Advil. The soldiers had so many hard marches and battles that the rum acted like a pain reliever of today.”

St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s long time lacrosse coach was accompanied by Dylan Balch a Rollinsford Elementary School student. Balch said “I have always been interested in the history of the war, and here it is in front of me.”

Ten-year-old Mia Smith, a Berwick Academy fifth-grader found the day to be “interesting and educational in a fun way,” while her friend Olivia Watson, who attends Rollinsford Grade School, found it “wonderful that they have a house from way back then so we can learn from it.”

Dominic Perkins, a fifth-grader at Kittery’s Shapleigh School, was a first time visitor, having won a book on the Revolutionary clothing from his teacher, Miss Sheldon. The book, Soldier of the Revolutionary War: a Visual Reference, was written by Denis Hambucken and Bill Payson, both of whom were in attendance in full uniform. Said an awed Dominic, “I really enjoyed your book.” Mother Dawn Perkins echoed her son’s pleasure. “I didn’t know this place was here, we will definitely be back.”